Speech acts in ljóðaháttr

Abstract

This paper combines analysis of meter and syntax with speech act theory to analyze how the poet of Lokasenna effectively uses ljóðaháttr meter to put rhetorically effective insults into the mouth of the titular character. The result is a verbally virtuosic performance in which Loki profoundly damages the reputations of the gods. The paper closely analyzes the different strategies that Loki employs to illustrate how he is effective as a speaker. Because the poem ends with an irregular use of force to put a stop to the flyting, I do not try to answer the question of whether Loki should be considered the victor of this verbal battle, but I do show that he proves his verbal superiority to the Æsir. Thus, the Lokasenna poet is able to use the features of ljóðaháttr to put speech acts into Loki’s mouth that establish his reputation as a wordsmith who will long be remembered.